College Football Playoff bracket for Week 4: Projecting top four seeds, first-round matchups, bubble teams
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College Football Playoff bracket for Week 4: Projecting top four seeds, first-round matchups, bubble teams originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Where will the Lane Kiffin experience take us next?
After a week of over-the-top buildup, LSU lost 32-24 to Ole Miss in Kiffin's return to Oxford, Miss., in a thriller at Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Week 3.
Don't worry. There is still mileage left on the "Lane Train" in the 2026 College Football Playoff race. LSU will face Texas, Alabama and Tennessee this season – and a showdown with one-loss Texas A&M will be one of the highlights of a loaded Week 4 schedule. The road to 10-2 will not be easy for Kiffin after the loss to the Rebels.
BENDER: The night was all about Lane, until Trinidad stole the spotlight
Ole Miss, meanwhile, gets the benefit of a top-10 victory for coach Pete Golding and Trinidad Chambliss, who arguably vaulted to the top of the Heisman Trophy conversation after a brilliant performance against his former coach.
The SEC has four teams in our College Football Playoff bracket heading into Week 4, which has a few shakeups.
Here is a look at the top four teams, the projected first-round matchups and the four teams on the college football playoff bubble heading into Week 4:
In: Texas Tech, North Dakota State
Out: LSU, Boise State
MORE: The heat is on for four ACC coaches
Projected College Football Playoff first-round byes
No. 1 Texas (3-0, SEC champion)
The Longhorns beat UTSA 30-6 in a bit of a hangover after the Week 2 comeback against Ohio State. Arch Manning (17 of 33, 164 yards, 2 TDs) had a pair of TD passes to Cam Coleman (4-59, 2 TDs), and the Roadrunners were limited to 142 yards and 1 of 11 on third-down conversions. The collision course with Georgia in the SEC is starting – but the Longhorns will face a road test at Tennessee in Week 4 first. Arch, of course, is the nephew of Vols legend Peyton Manning.
No. 2 Indiana (3-0, Big Ten champion)
The Hoosiers had a scoreless first quarter before opening up a 38-0 victory against Western Kentucky in the last leg of their weak non-conference schedule. Josh Hoover (18 of 24, 273 yards, 2 TDs) continues to excel with receiver Charlie Becker (5-127, TD). Running back Turbo Richard (15-149, TD) and Lee Beebe Jr. (17-50, 2 TDs) are a dynamic rushing tandem, and the defense allowed 186 total yards. Indiana opens Big Ten play on Friday against Northwestern.
No. 3 Notre Dame (3-0, Independent)
Notre Dame beat Michigan State 27-10 in a renewal of a classic rivalry. The Irish's defense – led by linebacker Drayk Bowen (8 tackles) – limited the Spartans to 167 total yards and forced two turnovers, and Nolan James (26-121, TD) might have stepped into a lead running back role. CJ Carr (18 of 24, 234) stayed efficient in the passing game. The Irish can complete a perfect September against Purdue in Week 4.
No. 4 Georgia (3-0, SEC at-large)
Gunner Stockton (10 of 13, 147 yards, TD) had seven carries for 97 yards in a 45-17 victory at Arkansas – part of an effort where the Bulldogs rolled up 254 yards on six yards per carry. Raylen Wilson added two sacks on defense and Georgia has scored 59.3 points per game through its first three games. Georgia coach Kirby Smart has a well-rounded team heading into a Week 4 matchup against Oklahoma.
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Projected College Football Playoff first-round matchups
A look at Sporting News projected first-round College Football Playoff matchups heading into Week 4 of the college football season:
No. 12 North Dakota State (4-0 Mountain West champion) at No. 5 Ohio State (2-1, Big Ten at-large)
Ohio State beat Kent State 59-3 in a bounce-back game where Jeremiah Smith (5-85) set the school record for receiving yards. Julian Sayin (18 of 22, 241 yards, 2 TDs) threw a 49-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half to Brandon Inniss (4-78, TD), and Chris Henry Jr. added a 75-yard TD catch. The only negative? The Buckeyes were 1 of 8 on third down. That is a game trend for coach Ryan Day to harp on ahead of the Big Ten opener against Illinois.
Could North Dakota State make the CFP in their first FBS season? The Bison jump Boise State, our projected Pac-12 champion, in the Group of 6 rankings. North Dakota State beat Sacramento State 31-10 to cap a perfect September. Quarterback Nathan Hayes (14 of 24, 210 yards, TD) had the connection with receiver Jackson Williams (7-134, TD) against the Hornets. The Bison have a bye in Week 4.
No. 11 Texas Tech (3-0 Big 12 at-large) at No. 6 Miami (3-0, ACC champion)
Miami was challenged in the second half of a 33-20 victory against Wake Forest on Friday in a game where the teams combined for 197 penalty yards. Mark Fletcher Jr. (16-85, TD) and Malachi Toney (12-114, TD) suffered injuries. Darian Mensah (30 of 34, 220 yards, 3 TDs) continued his strong start. He's 71 of 79 (89.8%) with an average for 291 yards per game with 11 TDs and no interceptions. The Hurricanes face Central Michigan in Week 4.
The Red Raiders pulled out a 28-26 victory against Houston in their first Big 12 test after stopping Houston quarterback Conner Weigman short on a game-tying two-point conversion attempt. Will Hammond (17 of 27, 257 yards, TD, INT) made enough plays behind a strong running game with Cameron Dickey (16-65, TD) and J'Koby Williams (7-62, TD). Remember, Texas Tech does not play Utah or BYU this season – so the path to the Big 12 championship game and perhaps a second bid for the conference is open. Texas Tech faces Sam Houston in Week 4.
No. 10 USC (4-0, Big Ten at-large) at No. 7 Ole Miss (3-0, SEC at-large)
Chambliss (33 of 48, 363 yards, 2 TDs, INT) scored the game-winning 14-yard TD run in the fourth quarter of the dramatic victory against LSU. It's a huge top-10 victory for Golding, but the injury to running back Kewan Lacy (9-43, TD) is a concern. JT Lindsey (4-20) filled in for Lacy and would see an increased role. The Rebels still have a tough schedule starting with Florida in Week 4, but this was an early tenure-defining victory for Golding.
Are the Trojans the third best team in the Big Ten? The same questions persist about the defense and travel under Lincoln Riley after an uneven 42-35 victory at Rutgers. Quarterback Jayden Maiava (20 of 32, 277 yards, 2 TDs) averages 293.3 passing yards with 12 TDs and one interception. Trent Mosley left with an undisclosed injury, which is a major issue for this week's showdown with Oregon. The Scarlet Knights had 460 total yards. The Ducks beat Portland State 84-0 and are a test for defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
No. 9 Alabama (3-0, SEC at-large) at No. 8 BYU (3-0, Big 12 champion)
Alabama is a solid fourth SEC team in the CFP field after a 50-36 victory against Florida State. The Crimson Tide trailed 21-6 at one point but rallied in the first half after a lengthy weather delay. Keelon Russell (23 of 30, 320 yards, 3 TDs) had a 57-yard TD in the second half that broke open a two-score lead. The Crimson Tide had 567 total yards. Third-year coach Kalen DeBoer is finding a groove ahead of a Week 4 matchup against South Carolina.
BYU rushed for 332 yards on 8.1 yards per carry in a 41-23 victory against Colorado State. LJ Martin (15-176, 3 TDs) and Journee Tonga (10-91) were a force against the Rams, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier (12 of 16, 227 yards, INT) did enough in the passing game. The Cougars are still our pick to win the Big 12, but Texas Tech and Utah are lurking. BYU has a bye in Week 4.
Projected College Football Playoff bubble teams
LSU (2-1)
Sam Leavitt (16 of 27, 158 yards, TD, INT) had 63 rushing yards and a TD behind Dillin Jones (23-106, TD), but it was not enough against the Rebels. LSU drops out of our top 12 for now, and there are other SEC contenders such as Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi State that are 3-0. The Tigers face one-loss Texas A&M at Tiger Stadium in Week 4. That is the next huge game for Kiffin.
MORE: Lane Kiffin has a history of struggling in big games
Penn State (3-0)
The Nittany Lions hammered Buffalo 55-13 and will enter Big Ten play under first-year coach Matt Campbell with a perfect record. Quarterback Rocco Becht (11 of 19, 212 yards, 2 TDs) has a connection with Koby Howard (3-115, TD), who had his second 100-yard game. Sophomore Quinton Martin Jr. (10-100) led the rushing attack, and the Nittany Lions limited the Bulls to 1 of 14 conversions on third down. Penn State has a plus-6 turnover ratio heading into the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin.
Utah (3-0)
Utah beat Utah State 33-0 – and the Utes have allowed just 8.0 points per game through three games with new coach Morgan Scalley. The Aggies managed just 188 total yards, and quarterback Devon Dampier (22 of 32, 253 yards, 2 TDs) continues to progress in his second year as the starter. Utah opens Big 12 play at Iowa State in Week 4.
Tennessee (3-0)
The Volunteers are on the playoff fringe after a 42-9 victory against Kennesaw State. Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon (18 of 26, 178 yards, TD) operated behind a rushing attack that had 268 rushing yards on 6.5 yards per carry. We'll learn more about the Volunteers in a Week 4 showdown with Texas.
Iowa (3-0)
Iowa routed Northern Iowa 55-0 – and the Hawkeyes have allowed just 13 points in three games. What about the offense? Quarterback Hank Brown (12 of 12, 153, 2 TDs) was perfect, and running backs Xavier Williams (6-151, 2 TDs), Braeden Jackson (11-125, TD) and Nathan McNeil (12-11, 2 TDs) all topped 100 yards. Iowa travels to Michigan in Week 4 in the Big Ten opener.
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